Dave Challinor reacts as ex-Hartlepool United manager leaves Stockport County
Former Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor has left Stockport County.
Former Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor has been reacting after confirmation he has left Stockport County after five successful years in charge.
Challinor, who has been linked with jobs at League One Sheffield Wednesday and Championship side Blackburn Rovers in recent days, led Stockport from the National League to League One but missed out on promotion to the second tier this season, beaten by Bolton Wanderers in the play-off final at Wembley.
Challinor enjoyed a successful spell in charge of Pools and guided the club back into the EFL in June 2021 when they claimed a dramatic penalty shoot-out win against Torquay United in the National League promotion final. After penning a new deal in September of the same year, Challinor departed just under two months later after making a ‘ridiculously difficult’ decision to step down before accepting an offer to take charge of then-National League club Stockport.
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After leading the Hatters to a National League title win during his first season in charge, Challinor claimed another promotion when his side were crowned as League Two champions during the 2023/24 season. There was play-off agony in their first season back in the third tier last season when Stockport suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat in a play-off semi-final against Leyton Orient - but they went one better by landing a place in this season’s final with a 3-0 aggregate win against Stevenage. However, thoughts of promotion into the Championship were ended in devastating fashion by Bolton Wanderers as a brace from Ruben Rodrigues, an own goal from Kyle Wooton and a Sam Dalby strike helped inflict a 4-1 defeat on Challinor’s side.
A club statement read: “Stockport County Football Club can confirm that, following long and constructive discussions, we have mutually agreed to part ways with first-team manager Dave Challinor. Dave leaves Edgeley Park after an extraordinary five-year period that has helped transform the trajectory of the football club. Since arriving in November 2021, he has overseen one of the most successful eras in the club’s modern history, guiding us from the National League to the cusp of the Championship, while creating numerous memorable moments that will live forever in County’s long and illustrious history.”
Ex-Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor reacts to Stockport County exit
"What a journey it’s been. An amazing five years that have gone as I would have hoped, and probably beyond what I expected. Firstly, thank you to Mark and Simon for believing in me and trusting that I was the right person to help carry out the plan they put together to move the club forward and get back to the Championship. We’ve come so close, and made some wonderful memories along the way - too many to mention.
"I’ve met some brilliant people during my time at the club, professionally and personally. Players and staff alike who will remain friends for life, and it’s been amazing to share success with them. Five seasons is a long time in football management at any level, and deciding to step away from the club at this moment has been incredibly tough, especially on the back of the play-off final outcome. My family and I have put everything into County and it has become our lives over this period, but the timing feels right.”
He added: "Looking ahead, I’m really excited about what comes next when the right opportunity arises. I’ll also be keeping a keen eye on the club and, like all of you supporters, hoping Championship football returns to Edgeley Park very soon.
"Finally, to the most important part of any football club, you, the supporters. Your backing has been incredible and I’m sure that will continue. From game one, when 5,000 of you travelled to Bolton, to game 268 and 15,000 at Wembley for the third time in four years, your support never wavered. Annoyingly, we couldn’t reward that with a win, but that moment will come. I hope we can all reflect positively on the experiences and emotions we’ve shared together over these years, mostly good, with a few painful moments along the way. "I’ll be back at Edgeley Park as a watcher and a supporter, and hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to say thank you and goodbye properly in person. In the meantime, enjoy your summer and I’ll see you all soon."